School dress codes have a serious sexism problem

Editor's note: The following reflects the opinion of The Grand Rapids Press editorial board.

School dress codes have a sexism problem.

It's become now more apparent than ever, with a spate of viral photos and news stories showing female students wearing innocuous outfits that supposedly run afoul of the rules.

This is not merely the Internet outrage machine churning out another controversy. The tales of young women being called the principal's office illustrate a widespread issue that our schools continue to grapple with.

To be sure, dress codes exist for a reason. School administrators seek to limit distractions by banning certain types of clothing, such as apparel sporting profane messages. But, in an effort to limit harm, it has become abundantly clear that schools are actually doing more harm to female students and their self-image.

Take the Kentwood schools policy that lists "Spandex-type" garments as "sexually provocative or revealing." In Grandville, administrators promote a policy that leggings and yoga pants "must be worn under garments that extend below mid-thigh."

The fact that school administrators view girls' athletic wear as "sexually provocative" is highly disconcerting. It also send an awful, harmful message to young women: that they are nothing more than sexual objects distracting male students. By trying to remove sexuality from school outfits, schools have only succeeded in making it all about sex.

School leaders are no doubt right to exercise discretion in interpreting dress codes. To be fair, much of the responsibility also rests with the parents who buy clothes for their children. But it seems the controversies that ensue when school leaders wage war on something like yoga pants is precisely the distraction they seek to avoid. Administrators instead should seek student and parent input on dress codes, and better educate teachers and staff on the policies.

What generation do we live in where "showing too much collarbone" is considered sexual? A change of approach is badly needed. Schools need to do away with policies that disproportionately penalize female students. Not only is it wrong, it raises the specter of potential violations under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination in education based on sex. They also must stop sending a message to female students that they must be afraid of their sexuality, and that they're simply sexual objects and distractions.

Educational energy could be much better spent teaching our children to respect themselves and each other. This will allow female students to dress in a way that appropriately expresses their individuality and intelligence, and helps male students gain the enlightenment they need to function in a world where men and women should operate as equals.